How we determine if a home passes ENERGY STAR and which version we send to RESNET

When homes are registered with RESNET, Ekotrope sends compliance status about above code programs to RESNET. This includes ENERGY STAR, DOE ZERH, and ENERGY STAR Next Gen. 

This allows this information to show up on the RESNET Registry (see photo #1), Public Registry (link, see photo #2) and be shared with the DOE or EPA. 

Each program has multiple versions. A home will certify using a specific version that is determined by the home’s permit date or acquisition date. 

Ekotrope has a field under Project Info called Target Energy Star Version. This field allows the user to identify what version of Energy Star the project plans to meet. The selection in this field can affect what data is sent to RESNET.

This article describes how Ekotrope determines which specific ENERGY STAR Program Version is applicable for the home and what information is sent to RESNET. 

ENERGY STAR

How Ekotrope determines which ENERGY STAR version is sent to RESNET: 

• If the Target ENERGY STAR Version (See Photo #3 to see the Target Version) is NOT set: 

  • We check the compliance of current National Versions and send the higher of them (e.g., In September 2024 Vesion 3 and Vesion 3.1) if either is passing.

  • If neither of the National Versions is passing, no ENERGY STAR Version is sent to RESNET.

• If the Target ENERGY STAR Version is set:

  • And the same version is passing, it is the version sent to RESNET.

  • And NOT passing, no ENERGY STAR Version is sent to RESNET.

  • The State/regional ENERGY STAR versions are only sent to RESNET if they are the Target ENERGY STAR Version and passing.

Notes: 

1. The above logic applies to the primary ENERGY STAR Version sent to RESNET. If additional versions pass, that information will be provided in the “Other Programs” section in the RESNET Registry (see Photo #1). These other programs are not available in RESNET’s public registry. 

2. If, for example, a home passes ESTAR 3.1, it also passes each version of ESTAR with a version number smaller than 3.1 

3. The same is true for State / Regional versions of ESTAR. If a home passes the ESTAR National 3.1, it also passes the FL Regional version of ESTAR with a version number less than 3.1. 

4. To earn the 45L tax credit, a home must meet the national program requirements and the applicable regional program requirements.

5. If the home passes other versions of ENERGY STAR, we put that information in the other codes and programs section. 

6. We add the newer versions of ENERGY STAR to the default logic when they become applicable (V3.2 on January 1, 2025). We remove old versions when they are no longer applicable. Both the newer and older versions will remain selectable in the Target ENERGY STAR Version field. 

7. In some states, the applicable ENERGY STAR version is different from the required ENERGY STAR version for 45L. For example, this is the case in Illinois in 2025 where the applicable version is v3.1 and the builder must meet v3.2 to earn the 45L Tax Credit.

Tooltip:

This version of ENERGY STAR will be sent to RESNET if the home passes the same version. 

Photo #1

Photo #2

Photo #3